And Tom and Ben looked grave, for they would have precious little left for wool-buying when the machinery was bought and set up. "At Hirst's, the wool stapler, in Huddersfield, I suppose," said Tom. "Now I don't take it friendly of you, or either of you," commented Mr. Redfearn. "I've bales and bales left over from th' last shearing, haven't we, Aleck?" And Aleck said "To be sure we have, an' fair gettin' maggoty for want o' usin'." "You must take it off my hands, Tom and Co.," said Redfearn. "I'll let you have it cheap, and you can pay me for it when you've had time to turn yourselves round." It is very sad that such things should be in a Christian land; but it is none the less true that the wool which later on Aleck carted to Co-op Mill had never coated the back of any sheep that grazed on Fairbank's field or moors, and why, about the same time, Farmer Redfearn should be buying wool in Huddersfield, Charles Hirst, the Huddersfield wool stapler, spent many an hour in vain attempt to divine. It was a glorious feast and a happy gathering, and happy folk those whose faces shone in the dancing rays of the glowing fire; but happiest of all the happy there was Workh'us Jack when Ben and Tom offered him the post of teamer and handy man at Co-op Mill, for Co-op Mill, the low grey mill at Hinchliffe Mill, had been christened without informal ceremony. "Aw'd ha' come mysen an' helped i'th mill," confided Aleck to Tom, as he walked a part of the homeward way with him and Ben. "But yo' see aw'm th' only one 'at stan's atween th' mester an' ower mich liquor. It's his only failin'. Nivver thee tak' to sperrits Tom. Be teetotal off _them_. Stick to ale an' nivver sup more nor five quarts at a sittin'. Tha'll nooan get fur wrang on that if th' ale's saand. Gooid neet, lad." CHAPTER XI